Family sues Fairfax police over fatal shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Va. (AP) — The longtime partner of a Virginia man fatally shot by Fairfax County police is suing the department for $12 million.

In the Tuesday lawsuit filed in federal court, the partner of 46-year-old John Geer of Springfield accuses the Fairfax County Police Department, its police chief and three unnamed officers of wrongful death and gross negligence.

Fairfax police and federal investigators have declined to discuss the case or whether they think the shooting was justified.

Geer’s partner, Maura Harrington, tells The Washington Post (http://wapo.st/1qxfqc5 ) that she’s suing to get answers for herself and Geer’s two teenage daughters.

Police shot Geer in the chest in his home on Aug. 29, 2013, after Harrington called 911 during an argument. Witnesses say he was unarmed.

An autopsy shows Geer bled to death.

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